Polk K-9 Ace Goes Home After Losing Leg In Line-Of-Duty Shooting: Watch

LAKELAND, FL — Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Ace is finally home after being shot by a wanted suspect last week and losing his leg.

The 7-year-old German Shepherd was released from the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch on Sunday, three days after he was critically wounded while helping deputies track the suspect in a wooded area. (Watch a video of his release below.)

Ace was shot in the front left leg Thursday evening after the suspect, Angel Bowers, opened fire on deputies, Patch previously reported.

The bullet broke the K-9’s leg and damaged an artery, causing significant blood loss, the sheriff’s office said.

• Related Story: Polk K-9 Critically Wounded, Suspect Dead After Deputy-Involved Shooting

Veterinarians were able to stabilize Ace, but his injuries were too severe to save the leg. It was amputated during emergency surgery Friday, the agency said.

The surgery was successful, and Ace remained stable as he recovered at the hospital. His handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, stayed by his side throughout his treatment.

On Sunday, the sheriff’s office shared a video to social media of Ace leaving the hospital and heading home with Oestreich.

“Our K9 hero Ace was shot [and] critically injured protecting deputies and our community on Thursday night… it’s Sunday now, and he’s coming home,” the agency wrote in the post.

Ace will continue his recovery and rehabilitation before settling into retirement with Oestreich and her family. He had served with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for about six years before his injury.

Sheriff Grady Judd has credited Ace with helping save the lives of three deputies during Thursday’s shooting.

“Ace is a hero without any doubt at all,” Judd said Friday, according to WFLA.

The Wiltse Family Trust has offered to cover Ace’s medical expenses and fund a replacement K-9 for the sheriff’s office, the agency said.

Watch a video of Ace’s release from the animal hospital:

See Also:

• 3 Injured In Targeted Palmetto Shooting, Manatee Deputies Say
• Woman Killed In St. Petersburg Hit-And-Run, Police Searching For Driver
• Missing 5-Year-Old Tampa Boy Found Dead In Nearby Pond: Hillsborough Sheriff
• FL Man Who Fatally Shot Neighbor He Mistook For Bear Given $200K Bond
• 84-Year-Old Bicyclist Dies After Crashing Into Car: St. Pete Police